The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-28
GEN. LEES MONUMENT.
LAYING OF rA CORNERSTONE IN
RIcHSoND YESTERDAY.
An Immense outpouriug of the People
Old Chieftains Who Participated-The
Noble Poem OF James Barron Hope.

RICHMOND, Va, oct 27.-The day
opened gloomy and wet, with no change
in the condition of the weather from that
which has prevailed for three days past, and
Richmond's big day was ushered in with
misty rain, whioli iel steadily with no in
dication OF cessation Despite this, how
ever, the people OF the city and the many
thousands Of visitors were early on the
streets, and by o'clock il was plainly evil
dent that Richmonds population for the
day was larger than on any previous occa-
sion. At an early hour the sound OF mar
tial music was heard in every direction,
and military mounted and on foot could be
seen moving 10 their various positions
preparatory TO the formation of the process
sion.
Gen. G.. w. Gusts Lee, owing 10 his re-
cent illness, was unable 10 participate in
today's ceremonies, but his brothers, Gen.
W. ii. f., popularity known as Rooney"
Lee, and Capt Robert l.. Lee are here.
The only other immediate members OF the
family are two daughters, who are at pres
ent in Europe.
At few minutes before IL o'clock, the
procession began TO move. At the head
OF the line came the chief marshal Of the
day, Gen. Wade Hampton, riding side by
side with Gov. Fizhugh Lee, both SUI
perbly mounted. Then followed the Gov
ernor's staff in brilliant uniform, and the
assistant marshals Next in successive Or
der came the Virginia Confederate veteran
corps, the veterans Of the Maryland line,
the volunteer infantry Of Virginia and the
North Carolina artillery, and then all the
various civic organizations. The whole
made such u display as has never been in
Richmond. Dense crowds packed the
sidewalks along the whole route of march,
and the enthusiasm Of the populace was
given vent 10 in almost incessant
cheers. About the time the head
Of the procession had reached the west
ern corporate limits, near the monument
grounds, a steady driZzle of rain again set
| in and continued 40 that the program was
cut short by the postponement Of the read
| ing Of the poem and the delivery of the
Grafton. The corner stone, however, was
laid with all the impressive Masonic cere-
monies. The Grafton will be delivered and
the poem read this evening in the hall OF
the House Of Delegates. Notwithstanding
the dislgrccablc weather and the muddy
condition uf the grounds, the vicinity OF
the vast field was almost covered with pco-
pie, the multitude being estimated at 1900
to 10000.
The hall Of the Ihousc Of delegates was
packed tonight. liov Lee called the meet.
ing 10 order hdr giving a brief history
Of the formation mud work OF the Lee mon
ument association ne introduced Gen.
Jubal A. Early toprcsidc ovcrthe meeting.
Gen. Early was greeted with thundcrs OF
| applause. He fcicrrcd 10 the original
monument assctiation, over which
cX-Prcsidcnt Davis presided. lie paid
an eloquent tribute Ia the ex-Prcsidcnt OF
Of the coniedcrncy and regretted his alb.
scncc from Richmond ON this occasion. lie
said he knew he gave uttcrance 10 the SEN
timonts Of the vnt assemblagc when he
expressed the hope that Davis would be
here at the unwilling Of the proposed mon
umcnt Gen. Early said: Gee needs no
monument, but we owe il TO our.
selves 10 erect IL. However certain men
might ~ back on their principles, the
noble women Of the south would be ever
true" Gen. Early then introduced Capt.
| w. Gordon McCabe, Of Petersburg, who
paid a glowing tribute 30 the late Capt.
James Barron Hope, the gifted author OF
the poem which he was about to read, and
then proceeded with the reading.